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Cogora acquires leading agency PCM Healthcare

Cogora, the media and marketing services group, has announced the acquisition of PCM Healthcare, a leading medical education and communications agency.

The terms of the deal, which will create one of the UK’s largest independent healthcare agencies, were not disclosed. Throughout the acquisition process, PCM Healthcare was advised by Newbury-based M&A advisory firm BCMS.

PCM has pioneered novel approaches to deliver healthcare communications and non-promotional medical education that have measurable impact on patient care standards for a range of clients including Novartis, Gilead and Indivior.

PCM Healthcare co-founders Alisa Pearlstone and Rob Miller will continue to lead the business post-acquisition, and the company will remain in its London Docklands offices.

Commenting on the deal, Alisa Pearlstone said: “PCM Healthcare has grown significantly in recent years on the back of our clear commitment to delivering innovative techniques and meaningful outcomes for our clients. Our partnership with Cogora creates an excellent synergy and promises a significant boost to the PCM Healthcare offering.”

On working with BCMS, Rob Miller said: “When we first met with BCMS, we were immediately impressed with their knowledge of our industry and the marketplace, and coupled with their obvious expertise in how to position and sell our business, it was a very easy decision for us to engage with them.

“Selling a business is no mean feat, but with BCMS on-board, they made the whole process considerably less stressful thanks to their knowledgeable, dedicated and supportive team who were with us every step of the way – we would thoroughly recommend them if you are considering selling your business.”

Cogora – a dynamic, expanding business

Cogora’s media brands include Pulse, Nursing in Practice, The Commissioning Review and Hospital Pharmacy Europe, while the company's marketing services arm delivers research, strategy and campaigns for its clients.

Cogora Chief Executive John Pettifor commented: “Though we started life as a ‘traditional’ media company, we’ve also been operating in the agency space for some time now and we’ve been looking to build the size of the group in this area.

“We identified PCM right at the very beginning of that journey as a potential acquisition that would bring the very highest levels of technical expertise and clinical knowledge to the group, as well as broaden the geographic scope of our operations and bring their leadership position within European Continuing Medical Education.”